Anna Clarke, Psychologist, Play Therapist, EMDRAA Accredited Consultant, Witness Intermediary, Neurodiversity Advocate, Survivor Advocate
Anna Clarke is a Psychologist and Play Therapist. They began their career working with children and young people living in Out of Home Care. During this time, they observed how therapeutic play can promote healthier relationships, inspiring them to complete a Master of Child Play Therapy. Anna has experience working alongside parents, carers, the child safety system, schools and other stakeholders to provide collaborative care for children and adolescents. Anna is passionate about early intervention and supporting the system around children to understand challenging behaviours through a trauma-informed and compassionate lens, placing an emphasis on positive behaviour support and strengthening relationships. Anna completed a first research project in 2018, exploring the role that disrupted attachment and emotion regulation play in problematic eating behaviours among children living in Out of Home Care (read here).
Anna has also undertaken additional training in understanding and responding to family violence. They have worked as a specialist adolescent family violence practitioner, using dyadic approaches to support parents and caregivers to respond to violent and aggressive behaviours, while also supporting the adolescent to change their behaviour. Anna has a particular interest in supporting survivors of family violence and sexual assault, and has worked for two years as a sexual assault crisis counsellor.
Anna works with a range of presentations including post-traumatic stress disorder, aggression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, depression, emotion regulation problems and attachment-related difficulties in children, adolescents and adults. Anna is also passionate about supporting children who are Neurodivergent and regularly supports Autistic and ADHD children. Anna works collaboratively with clients and families in creating treatment goals and emphasises a client-centred, strengths-based, and Neurodivergent-Affirming approach to therapy. Anna has undertaken advanced training in EMDR therapy and is an EMDRAA Accredited Consultant. Anna is also a Play Therapy Supervisor and is passionate about supporting early career Play Therapists to grow their skills.
Anna uses evidence-based treatments including EMDR therapy, Schema therapy, Imagery Rescripting, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. When working with children, Anna utilises a range of creative and play-based therapeutic approaches including Child Centred Play Therapy, and is certified in the Learn to Play intervention which aims to enhance pretend play skills. See our parent group focused on play therapy here! Anna is also certified to deliver the Safe and Sound Protocol.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Anna Clarke maintains a private practice and is the co-director of Divergent Futures. She has employment relationships with EMDRAA & Deakin University and the Tasmanian Department of Justice. She receives royalties as a published author. Anna Clarke receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Anna Clarke has no relevant non-financial relationships.
